Appointments, honors and activities

May 3, 2013

• Faculty and staff honors:

- R. Douglas Hurt, professor and head of the Department of
History, has been elected an associate fellow of the Center for Great Plains
Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Hurt specializes in the history
of American agriculture, and he is author of a variety of books including
"The Dust Bowl: An Agricultural and Social History" and "The Big
Empty: The Great Plains in the Twentieth Century."

- Elizabeth "Liz" O'Neil, clinical assistant professor of nursing and coordinator of the Family Health Clinic of Monon, received the Community Outreach Award at the 11th annual Salute to Nurses on April 24 in Indianapolis. This event, organized by the Indianapolis Star, honors nurses and nurse educators who provide selfless service and tireless dedication to Indiana. More information is available at http://www.indystar.com/section/living0102?nursetab=salute

• Student honors:

- Allison Wilkerson, commander of the Iven C.
Kincheloe, Jr. Squadron at Purdue, was named the Most Outstanding Commander at
the Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings National Conclave for 2013. The
Arnold Air Society is an organization dedicated to building strong officers for
the US Air Force. Wilkerson, a graduating senior from Plainfield, Ind., who is
studying law and society, was selected out of 134 squadrons nationwide. Some of
Wilkerson's accomplishments through the AAS have been leading a suicide
prevention class for the entire Purdue Air Force ROTC detachment, and
creating a spring semester mentor program for the AAS to integrate new members
and promote squadron unity. Wilkerson also led her squadron to
1,066 professional development, service, social and fundraising hours for
the AAS, which led to the award of Area IV Most Improved Squadron.
Wilkerson also is minoring in Spanish, forensic science and aerospace studies.
More information is available at https://studentlife.purdue.edu/2013/04/26/air-force-rotc-cadet-named-most-outstanding-commander/